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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

Hello,
my problem is little bit more complicated. It started today, when I finally wanted to install Debian to my hardrive. Somehow, I figured out how to copy it to USB drive and make it boot-able. Installation process started without problems, but it failed on step called (something like) "Find files in CD-ROM" - what was expectable, since I used USB drive.

So I wanted to unmount "/cdrom" and mount my USB drive there instead. I moved to another terminal, and searched for right device. "ls /dev" does not help, since I can't scroll to see other devices. Also kernel messages - can't scroll. Tried to change keyboard layout, still didn't work.

I also can't use less, because there is no apt-get installed.

Another problem is, that after trying to mount only viewable device (/dev/sda1), mount failed bacause I gave there invalid argument, or directory didn't exist. (Note that I created directory in /mnt/... or /media/... first).

So I am asking - how can I remap keyboard to use those page up/down keys? Or, if you can see any more simple solution to my problem, could you please tell me?

What I use to scroll on a virtual console is <shift> + <up - down>, though I don't remember if it works on the debian installer. I guess you used something like unetbootin to put the debian installer on the USB stick? (I had a similar problem once installing it this way). If you're installing from an USB stick, you should follow this method, it has worked for me better than unetbootin and usb-creator.

What I use to scroll on a virtual console is <shift> + <up - down>, though I don't remember if it works on the debian installer. I guess you used something like unetbootin to put the debian installer on the USB stick? (I had a similar problem once installing it this way). If you're installing from an USB stick, you should follow this method, it has worked for me better than unetbootin and usb-creator.

Ok, thanks for your reply. I was interested to do it right from Unetbootin (trying to learn it non-IT family member), but it seems like I can't figure out how to scroll after all (without changing kernel keymap). So I will try to do it that way.

Sorry, I got confused in my first post, the right way to scroll up / down in a virtual console is <shift> + <PgUp - PgDown> (at least, this is how it works here). Anyway, as for how to install debian from the USB stick, I'd suggest the method at the debian.org manual I posted above, since I had the same problem as you with the installer not finding the files, when I used unetbootin.

Sorry, I got confused in my first post, the right way to scroll up / down in a virtual console is <shift> + <PgUp - PgDown> (at least, this is how it works here). Anyway, as for how to install debian from the USB stick, I'd suggest the method at the debian.org manual I posted above, since I had the same problem as you with the installer not finding the files, when I used unetbootin.

Greetings.

Well my problem is that it does not work for me, at least the method using <shift> + <page up/down>. Not sure if it's because of keyboard I use (Europe-bought in Slovakia, you probably don't even know where it is), or because there is no less installed in Debian iso I downloaded. So I'll stick with the method you posted above, and then let the forum know if it worked. Thanks for your reply.

Ok, so I prepared USB for Debian installation, as described in link you provided. Installer starts with no problems, it only asks me "boot: " message, so I enter kernel location there ("vmlinuz"). The problem is, again, that installer cant find data, or cdrom either. So I am trying to mount my USB key as /media/cdrom or /cdrom, but it gives me "Invalid argument" or "No such file or directory error".

Please note that I create new directory for mounting first, and also, it does not work with any device (even /dev/sda1, which is the only one I see in "ls /dev" output).
Why those errors? also, I still can't scroll at all... thanks for replies.

hmm, it's strange it didn't work with the method from the debian.org guide. Did you try both ways to create the usb installer? (the easy way, and the flexible way? The flexible way is probably better). I have to install debian squeeze too in a small netbook this weekend, so I'll try it to see if I get the same error as you, and post back my results (although, I've tried it before with no problems that I can remember).

I tried the flexible way, still looks for cd. Maybe I downloaded wrong image or something, the one I am using is "debian-507-amd64-CD-1.iso".
Just to make sure, the installer starts with no problems, I am stuck with searching for data process only. Will be looking forward to your results.

Well, I just installed it in my netbook and it worked without issues. Make sure that your usb stick is formatted in FAT16 and not FAT32 or any other file system type since the debian installation guide says it must be formatted in FAT16. Besides that, make sure that you're downloading the right files for the iso your using. I see you're using the amd64 iso, so in your case, you should download the initrd.gz and vmlinuz files from here; if you use the wrong files, the installation will fail, which is what I'm thinking could have happened, since the guide I posted at the beginning is intended for i386 (my mistake, I should have asked you which architecture you were running).

Alright, thanks for your advice. I will try it, although I'd think it should work with FAT32 too (flexible way). Where did you get to those links? I mean, Debian web seems little confusing to me, I didn't even see links to those files. Ok, I will re-prepare the files and USB drive, try to install, and then report. For now, I'll give you R+, since you're helpful and polite enough - what can't be seen much nowadays.

Yeah, the stable branch is a bit dated; I was about to suggest you using "testing" in my last post. You can either install "testing" if you don't find it very annoying, or point your sources.list to "testing" and upgrade; be aware that, if you install "testing" from scrtach, then you will need other files, and not the ones I posted above (I could help you with that, in case you plan to install "testing"). As for how did I got to these files, I took the link from the guide from section 4.2.1: “Where to Find Installation Images” (yes, debian.org can be a bit confusing when looking for some files). Anyway, glad you got it working.

edit: Since the problem is fixed, you can mark the thread as [SOLVED] in the thread tools above.

I could just use another software sources mirror, if it won't make system less usable. I really should be little more careful when reading Debian's web page docs - although except the site map it seems not to have any good menu or navigation bar going to "deeper levels" of page. It's little disappointment for me, since I am just getting to these intermediate-advanced linux distributions, and I thought there is only stable version for architecture I want to use. (I have been doing 3d graphics and web programming for some time). So for now, I don't plan to install it again, there are still few other distributions I am planning to take a look on. Thanks for your assistance.

Anyway, thanks for reminding me the [SOLVED] tag, as you can see from number of posts, I am new member on this forum.